"
Max, who covertly had been watching the face of Sir Brian Malpas, said
at this point:
"I would not miss it for anything, after reading Miss Cumberly's account
of it. When are you thinking of going to see it, Sir Brian? I might
arrange to join you."
"Directly the exhibition is opened," replied the baronet, lapsing again
into his dreamy manner. "Ring me up when you are going, and I will join
you."
"But you might be otherwise engaged?"
"I never permit business," said Sir Brian, "to interfere with pleasure."
The words sounded absurd, but, singularly, the statement was true. Sir
Brian had won his political position by sheer brilliancy. He was utterly
unreliable and totally indifferent to that code of social obligations
which ordinarily binds his class. He held his place by force of
intellect, and it was said of him that had he possessed the faintest
conception of his duties toward his fellow men, nothing could have
prevented him from becoming Prime Minister. He was a puzzle to all who
knew him. Following a most brilliant speech in the House, which would
win admiration and applause from end to end of the Empire, he would,
perhaps on the following day, exhibit something very like stupidity
in debate. He would rise to address the House and take his seat again
without having uttered a word.
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